NFU 0 FC Halifax Town 3

This game had rather more passion than is usually seen in a pre-season fixture. There was always likely to be an edge to it with Halifax manager Billy Heath returning to The Eon Visual Media with aa number of the players who had so much success here.

Overall, it was an entertaining and fairly even game, The major difference was in finishing. Halifax were clinical and scored three well-taken goals. Ferriby created a number of chances but were less sure in front of goal.

The first 20 minutes were fairly even. Jake Picton and Alberto Seidi went close for Ferriby. Dion Charles and Tom Denton went close at the other end. Charles was prominent throughout the game and was at the heart of many of The Shaymen’s attacks. As expected, Denton won many of the aerial battles.

After 22 minutes Danny Emerton hit the post for Ferriby only to see the ball quickly cleared to the other end where Denton ran on before hitting a low shot past Ross Durrant. It was hard luck on The Villagers who found themselves a goal behind rather than a goal in front.

Alberto and Joel Ambalu caused problems for the Halifax defence with their pace. The visitors were often forced to play the ball backwards or very hurriedly.

The second Halifax goal came after 39 minutes when Denton’s downward header from a free-kick was hit home first time by Matty Kosylo.

Both managers rang the changes in the second-half but, for once, the game remained entertaining despite the number of substitutions.

Ferriby had the better of the first 10 minutes of the half and went close through Emerton, Russ Fru and Alberto.

However, as in the first-half it was Halifax who scored on 53 minutes with Bohan Dixon scoring with a low shot from just outside the area.

After this, most of the chances fell to the visitors but they rarely came close to scoring.

Halifax were grateful to keeper Sam Johnson who made a good one-handed reaction save from a close-range shot from Alberto.

The scoreline probably flattered Halifax but they deserved the win

Manager Steve Housham was reasonably upbeat after the game,
“It was a good work-out. Halifax were similar to what we may be facing in the season although most sides are not going to have somebody like Denton up front. I told the players he would be difficult to play against.

“We played decent football in the first 20 minutes but it was a bit like last season with us almost scoring and conceding on the breakaway.

“Up front Joela and Alberto created chances si I’m not toos disappointed. It would be more worrying if we were not creating anything.”